Roberto Martínez unflustered by Leighton Baines Everton exit claims

• Stubbs revealed left-back wanted Manchester United move
• 'I think that was a private comment, not an official statement'

Leighton Baines was in superb form for Everton against West Ham at the weekend and manager Roberto Martinez is unconcerned about claims that the left-back wanted to join Manchester United in the summer. Photograph: Stephen Pond/PA

Roberto Martínez has said he has no issue with claims by the Everton coach Alan Stubbs that Leighton Baines wanted to join Manchester United last summer. Everton rejected a series of bids from United for the England left-back during the last transfer window and denied reports that the 28-year-old had asked to leave for Old Trafford. The Everton manager maintained that line too, though Stubbs stated last week: "Bainesy was never really an option to leave, the club had dug its heels in, but Bainsey had obviously said he'd like to go."

The former Everton defender is now manager of the Under-21s team but Martínez denied the claim had placed Baines in a difficult position after the closure of the transfer window. "Everyone is entitled to an opinion and can say what they feel and I think that was a private comment, not an official statement," said the Everton manager, who takes his team to Fulham in the Capital One Cup . "With Leighton it was never a situation where any club met his valuation. You could ask any player in the squad if they would like to play in the Champions League, play in the Bernabéu against Barcelona and everyone could have a private comment about that. Alan Stubbs is an employee of Everton but he's an ex-player as well and sometimes people can get mixed up about his views as an ex-player and they're not necessarily the same as the under-21s manager.

"Sometimes private thoughts or conversations can be taken out of context. If a club matches a players' valuation, a player needs to make a decision, but that was never the case. There was a lot of speculation about Leighton but no one ever matched his valuation. If you ask any of my players if they'd like to play in Barcelona against Real Madrid or the Champions League final, I would like to play in a Champions League final, but it doesn't mean anything."

Baines produced another outstanding display for Everton in Saturday's 3-2 win at West Ham United, scoring two exquisite free-kicks, and the club are keen to secure the left-back on a new contract. Martínez, however, insists that is not an immediate concern.

The manager added: "At the moment all we are focusing on is games and any individual contracts or situations are put aside. In the last two games, once the window was closed, it's closure and he can concentrate on his football. In the last two games Leighton has been sensational, probably because he's been able to relax and enjoy his football. To be able to score goals from dead-ball situations is a massive strength in any team and he's in a moment where the next three or four years will be the best in his career. Behind the scenes we're happy with the situation and we're making sure he's happy as well."